Depsang Bulge
The Depsang Bulge or Burtsa Bulge is a 900-square-kilometre area of mountain terrain in the disputed Aksai Chin region, which was conceded to India by China in 1960, but has remained under Chinese occupation since the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The area is immediately to the south of the Depsang Plains and encloses the basin of the Burtsa Nala (or Tiannan River, Chinese: 天南河), a stream originating in the Aksai Chin region and flowing west to merge with the Depsang Nala near the village of Burtsa in Ladakh, eventually draining into the Shyok River. The area is perceived to be of strategic importance to both the countries, sandwiched by strategic roads linking border outposts. Since 2013, China has made attempts to push the Line of Actual Control further west into Indian territory, threatening India's strategic road.
Depsang Bulge | |
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Depsang Bulge Location in the Kashmir region | |
Coordinates: 35°9′N 78°10′E | |
Country | India (claimed) China (controlled) |
Province/Region | Ladakh Xinjiang |
Area | |
• Total | 900 km2 (300 sq mi) |
Dimensions | |
• Length | 19 km (12 mi) |
• Width | 5 km (3 mi) |
Elevation | 5,000 m (16,000 ft) |